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In those instances where even the most polite of discourse could not veil the ‘improper’ nature of Darwin’s content, Murray recommended the use of Latin; a strategy which would protect the sensibilities of Descent’s popular audience without depriving its learned readers of what he and Darwin must have deemed crucial supporting evidence for his theory.

Francis Darwin (circa. 1870), Henry Martens, Clapham

Like all of Darwin’s children, Francis helped his father from a young age. As a child he and his siblings made observations and collected plant samples. Later in life Francis, classically-educated in Latin, proved a useful source of help for Darwin’s translations.

Charles Darwin to Francis Darwin (30th August, 1867)

Darwin asks his son, Francis, and his Cambridge University friends to check his Latin. Latin was not Darwin's strong point and he frequently relied on his sons and colleagues to check his efforts (see letter to George Robert Gray, below).

The enclosure to this letter has not been found but it is likely that the passage in question involved a discussion of the genitalia of ‘Hottentot’ (a term used in the nineteenth century to refer to peoples of the south-western Africa) women which featured in Descent Vol. 2, p. 345 (see letter from Andrew Smith and the associated extract from Descent,in this case).

Charles Darwin to George Robert Gray (6th December, 1838)

Darwin writes to Zoologist George Robert Gray asking him to proof read his Latin in the Birds section of The Zoology of the Voyage of HMS Beagle (1839).

Andrew Smith to Charles Darwin (26th March, 1867)

Andrew Smith, an army surgeon stationed in South Africa, discusses Khoisan or ‘Hottentot’ notions of beauty in women; in particular their preference for women with large posteriors and lengthened ‘Nymphae’ (inner labia). Too sensitive for a general readership, this content appeared in Descent only in Latin and as a footnote.

The Descent of Man (London, 1871),Vol. 2, p. 345, n. 53

A discussion of Khoisan or ‘Hottentot’ notions of beauty in women, veiled in Latin to protect the sensibilities of Darwin’s popular audience.